Pneumatic grout mixing and discharging apparatus.



No. 873,345. IATENTED pm. 10, 1907. w. L. GANNIFF, PNEUMATIOGROUT MIXING AND DISGHARGING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED 001299, 1908.

Wm5maz I .Xmmkm. Ma/LM/ I No. 873,345. PATENTED DEC. 10, 1907.

W. L. GANNIFF. Y PNEUMATIC GROUT MIXING AND DISGHARGING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT-29. 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

which the followingis a WILLIAM 1.. UANNlFF,

or NEW YORK, N. Y.

PNEUMATIC GROUT MIXING AND DISCHARGING APPARATUS.

I To all whom itmay concern:

Be it known that I, 'VVILLIAM L. (TANNIFF, a citizen ofthe United States, residing in the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and State of New. York, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Pneumatic Grout Mixing and Discharging Apparatus, of

specification. The object of my invention is to effect the admixture of the constituent parts of grout in a more simple, rapid and efl'ective'manner than heretofore, atthe same time dispensing with mechanical mixers, motors and the like, and rendering the operation essentially automatic in character. with their motors and other essentials are relatively expensive in the first place, necessitate theuse of skilled labor, and even with the best of care and attention, need, owing to be designated as boiling the gritty character of the material treated, almost constant repair and replacement of parts, so that the expense of running and maintenance is burdensome terially from their value. and utility. I obviate these objections by dispensing entirely with operative parts in the sense that I effect the admixture of the grout without the aid of mechanical heaters, armsor agitators, by means oficompressed air. Furthermore, the admixture of elements is more uniform and perfect, and is accomplished in much less time than heretofore.

' The invention consists primarily in injecting compressed air into the aggregated mate-- ria as sand, cement and Water, in such manner that the air in expanding passes through the same, thoroughly agitating and admixing the ingredients by a process whichmay or analogous thereto. As a result, a uniform blending and distribution of the component partsof the mass is quickly attained', after which compressed air is further 'i ltilized to effect the discharge of the-admixture as hereto fore.

My invention also includes certain specific features in the construction and arran ement of arts hereinafter described and c aimed. the accompanying drawings, Figure .1; is a plan, of a mixing chamber and connections embodying the essential features of my invention Fig. 2, is a sectional "elevation taken u on plane of line 2'- 2Fi'g. l ;'Fig. an in detail of the underside of the vent shield; Fig. 4, an edge view of the vent shield; Fig.5, is a plan of the deflector; Fig.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 29. 19Q6- Serial No. 341.042.

Mechanical mixers, Y

and detracts ma- Patented Dec. 10, 1907.

6, a side elevation thereof; Fig. 7, is a horizontal section on plane of line 7 7Fig. 2; Fig. 8, is a horizontal section on plane of line 88-Fig. 2. i

In the practical application .of my inven-- tion the form or configuration of mixing chamber'C is of secondary importance, and

I do'not limit myself in this respect, neither do I restrict myself to the identical arrangement of parts herein shown, since modifications thereof may be resorted to with like result,the essentialfeature' in this respect being the use of means whereby compressed air may be forced through the ingredients within the chamber for the purpose set forth.

Obviously a preferable arrangement for practical reasons is to employ a mixing chamber 0, the .main portion of which is of cylindrical form, and to introduce the compressed air at the bottom of said chamber, so that the air in rising will thoroughly agitate the contents of the chamber. to do through the medium of a pipe which is also used as a medium of discharge for the grout after the admixture of the component parts thereof. The lower portion of the chamber 0 .is closed by an inverted conical section 0, through the truncated end of which the pipe a, projects. Over the open end of the pipe a, 1s arranged a deflector d, preferably in the form of an inverted'dish shaped plate formed with flanged lugs d, it is secured to the conical section 0.

. b, is an air pipe extending to. any suitable by which source of supply of air under pressure. This compressed air pipe I), enters a three way valve 6, communicating through the pipe '6 with the upper part of the cylinder C and with the combined air The hanthrough the pipe inlet and grout discharge p e a. dle b, of the three wa va ve b, is formed with a pointer b whic indicates the direction of air flow when the'valve'is open,'tl1'e valve being shown as in its closed position in the drawings. v f

'e, is a discharge'valve controlled by the handle 6.

g, is a transverse grating of any suitable, or desired construction inserted in the mixing chamber 0 to assist in breaking up and disintegrating any lumps of cement or sand in advertently introduced into the, chamberfC. As shown in the drawings thegrating consists of three zig Zag. strips of flat metal placed edge-wise with relation to the vertical axis of the cylinder Q, with ample space between their opposed surfaces for the passage of the contents of the chamber in either di rection, as will be, seen by reference to Fig. 7.

The ingredients of the grout are introduced into the mixing chamber C through the opening 0, closed preferably by a swinging door c opening inward and provided with a gasket 0 for forming an air tight joint when the ldoor is closed,the door being held by internal pressure in use. 0, c are angle beams on the exterior of the cover adjoining the door 0 ening c, and are designed to stifi'en and rein orce the edges of said openings so as to insure a close seal with the gasket 0 on the door 0 V is a vent pipe provided with a stop cock u,-the inner end of the vent ipe being protected by a screen s, which at mits of the escape of air while intercepting and deflecting any of the grout mixture that might other wise pass to the vent.

Attached ,to the discharge valve 6, is a flexible pipe (1", through and by which-the mixed grout is distributed.

The operation is as follows. The valves 1) and e, being closed, the 'material is introduced through the opening 0, the cock 2), in

the vent tube V opened,= the door 0, closed, and the valve 1), turned with the pointer b downward, admitting compressed air to the chamber C, and thereby sealing the door 0 by excess of internal pressure. As the compressedair escapes from thepipe a, it expands and rises, being deflected by the inverted plate (1, through the grout material, violently a itating the latter and causing a state of ebu lition which results in a thorough and uniform admixture of the ingredients. During this action air escapes around the ed es of the shield s and through the vent V. A action of a minute (about 30 seconds in fact) is sufficient to insure a thorough blend-. ing and distribution of the ingredients to form the grout by this method of boiling or agitation, when the valve '0, may be closed and the valve 1), reversedto shunt the compressed air into the top of the cylinder 0, when the valve e, being opened, the grout is discharged by displacement by the pressure and accumulation of compressed air above it in the mixing chamber. In this connection,

'Iwish to state that I am aware that compressed air has been used to force grout from a mechanical mixer, but I am not aware that compressed air has heretofore been employed to agitate and mix the ingredients as a preliminary to such discharge.

It will be seen that my apparatus is ex: tremely simpleand inexpensive, there being no operative parts, and nothing to get out of order. Practically the device cleans and lubricates itself in action, and ,may be used efiectuall by unskilled labor. Furthermore it is of lig t and portable structure, a feature of special importance in the art to which it appertains as will be readily understood, since it can be transported to the innnediate vicinity of the place where the grout is to be applied, and the grout formed and applied direct while fresh and in the best condition. I thus not only save time in the preparation of the grout, but also in handling and manipulation. I have found by practical experience that by in method the materials may be more thoroug 11y and satisfactorily mixed in one third the time involved in the use of the inechanical mixers, which it is designed to replace, while the cost of my apparatus is comparatively speaking, merely nominal, and the cost for repairs is practically eliminated.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,

1: In a device of the character designated, the combination of a mixing chamber, means for introducing material to be mixed into said chamber, means for sealing said chamber, and means connected with said chamber for injecting compressed air therein below the material contained therein for the purpose of mixing the same.

2. In a device of the character designated, the combination of a mixing chamber, means for introducing materials to be mixed in said chamber, means for sealing said chamber, means connected with said chamber for hi jecting compressed air therein below the material contained therein for the purpose of.

mixing the same, and an air vent and vent valve connected with said chamber, for the purpose described. I

3. In a device of the character designated, the combination of a mixing chamber, means for introducing materials to be mixed in said chamber, means for sealing said chamber, means connected with said chamber for injecting compressed air therein below the material contained therein [or the purpose of mixing the same, and means for discharging said chamber of its contents by air pressure for the purpose described.

4. In a device of the character designated, the combination of a mixing chamber, means for introducing materials to be mixed in said chamber, means for sealing said chamber, means connected with said chamber for injecting compressed air therein below the materials contained therein for the purpose of mixing the same, an air vent and vent valve connected with saidchamber, and means for discharging the mixed material by air pressure for the purpose described.

5. In a device of the character designated, the combination of a mixing chamber, means for introducing materials to be mixed in said chamber, ineans for sealing said chamber,

'means connected with said chamber for injecting compressed air therein below the materlal contained therein for the purpose of mixing the same, an air vent and vent valve connected with said chamber, and a shield in said chamber opposedto and protecting said vent for the purpose described.

6. In a device of the character designated, the combination of a mixing vchamber having an inverted conical bottom, a ipe-entering the truncated end of said conical bottom and connectedwith a discharge'pipe and with a I through the bottom thereof to mix the materials and means for discharging said cham- ,ber of'its contents by 'air pressure, for the purpose described.

8. In a deviceof the character designated, the combination of a chamber, means for introducing materials to be mixed in said chamber, means for sealing said chamber from within, a pipe entering the bottom of said chamber, means for'introducin compressed air through said pi e to mix t e materials and means for introri ucin'g compressed air into the upper portion-of said chamber, for the purpose of discharging the contents thereof.

9. In a device of the character designated, the combination of a mixing chamber, means for introducing materials to be mixed in said chamber, means for sealing said chamber, a

pipe entering the bottom of said chamber, a

deflecting plate opposed tothe opening in said ipe, means for introducing compressed 'air t ough said pipe to inix the materials and means for introducing compressed air into the upper portion of said chamber, for the. purpose described.

.10. Ina device of the character designated, the combination of'a mixing chamber and with a com dish1 shaped de having an inverted conical bottom, a pipe entering the truncated end of said conical bottom, connecting with a discharge pipe 'ressed air pipe, aninverted ector plate opposed to the opening in said pipe, a compressed air pipe entering the upper portion of. said mixing I chamber, -valves controlling said pipe, means for'introducing materials to be mixed in said chamber and means for sealing said chamber, for the purpose described. I

11; In a device of the character desig- I also connecti tudinal axis of the-cham nated, the combination of a mixing chamber,

compressed alr into said 0 amber a pipe ontering the bottom of said mixing chamber and connecting with said discharge pipe and said compressed air pipe, said compressed air ipe w1th the upper portion 0? t e chamber, a t ee way cock in said compressed air pipe and a valve in the discharge pipe, far the urpose described.

having an inverted conical bottom a dis charge pipe, and a (piplefor conducting compressed a1r into sai c amber a ipe entering the truncated end of said conica bottom and I evice. of the "character designated, the combination of a mixing chamber connected withsaid discharge pipe and with said compressed air piple, said compressed air pi e also entering t e u per portion of said c amber, a three wayjva vein said compressed air pipe, a valvein the discharge pipe, a vent valv communicating with the iippl'er part of the chamber and an inverted,

extending transversely across said chamber above the bottom thereof, means for introducing materials to be mixed into said chamher, means for sealing said chamber and means for discharging the contents of said chamberby air pressure, for the purpose de'-' scribed. v a

14. In a device of the character designated, the combination of a mixing chamber having; an inverted conical bottom a discharge. pipe, and apipe for. delivering com pressed air into said chamber a ipe entering the truncated end of said conica bottom and connected with said'discharge pipe and with. said compressed air 'pipe', acom ressed air pipe entering the upper portion 0 said mixmg chamber, valves controlling said plpe, a transverse screen in said mixing chamber consisti of-a series" of flat metal bars arranged with their edges parallel to the longier, means for introducing materials to be mixed into said chamber and means for sealing said chamber, for

the purpose described.

L. QANNIFR. v

I Witnesses:

D. .W. GARDNEB,. GEO. WM. Mm'r'r;

ioo 

